In recent years, the discipline of yoga has evolved taking different forms, from pregnant yoga to yoga for the elderly , from therapeutic yoga to yoga for children .
It is precisely this latter type that we will deal with today. The children Yoga is a young discipline that was founded only recently thanks to the discovery that the benefits of yoga can also be experienced by children and not only by experienced and enlightened people. In fact, yoga is aimed at everyone, without discrimination of age, sex or physical condition because it is a lifestyle and not a sport . The usefulness of bringing children closer to yoga is both mental that physics : yoga children is in fact a psychomotor discipline able to develop the muscles but also keep the mind calm.
Nowadays, children are exposed to many distractions or phenomena that can jeopardize their psychic stability both within the walls of the house, both at school and in a sporting environment. In fact, the little ones are more predisposed to absorbing the negative energy present in our society and the underlying anxiety that dwells in the unsatisfied western man.
More and more children are suffering from attention deficit syndrome , also known as ” hyperactivity ” (ADHD) and have similar characteristic traits: inattention , restlessness and it is difficult to sit for more than a few minutes (it is good to know that no matter how widespread this syndrome may be, the diagnosis is often misused as every child has within himself the natural desire to experience and learn the world quickly). Yoga helps to increase learning and attention in children in a natural way and develops a strong mind and an active spirit able to overcome any impediment with smile and serenity ; also gives the ability to listen actively and awakens the awareness of their emotions.
How does yoga work on children? On the physical level, the asanas help to correct any wrong postures since childhood, develop the muscles in a harmonious way and improve coordination. Every child who experiences yoga also learns to love his body as he gets used to paying attention to any sensation he experiences during practice. Thanks to the chanting of mantras , the child experiences the beauty of sound and experiences the vibrational waves that create harmony and serenity in the mind. Through the mandalas (images depicting dream symbols or graphic representations) the child can develop his own creativity and intuition in a disinterested way and also relax the mind and oxygenate the brain.
Many yoga positions are inspired by elements that exist in nature, be they animals, trees or various entities. This pretext manages to add value to the practice of the child thanks to the identification in every animal or natural object.
Let’s see together the most known positions:
The position of the tree is one of the most effective and fun. The child experiences his balance, concentration and attention to the outside, imagining a beautiful and strong shrub
The position of the triangle , also known as Trikonasana , recalls the shape of the large and golden pyramids. Assuming the position of the triangle respecting its limits, the child can stabilize the center of gravity of his body, perceive the alignment between hip and shoulder and make strong legs.
The dog that looks down is one of the best known postures in yoga and remembers the position the dog takes when he stretches after having just woken up. Thanks to this position, the child is able to stretch the back of the thighs, strengthen the arms and lengthen the spine
The position of the cobra , also known as bhujangasana , is one of the most effective for opening the chest and resolving any incorrect posture of the spine. It is important to keep the neck straight, the buttocks contracted and the elbows slightly bent. Breathing is thoracic and your face is smiling!
The position of the cat is another posture reminiscent of a well-known animal that is often present in many homes. The child has the opportunity to have fun taking this position and imagining being a sweet feline that manages to relax the spine thanks to his breath. Each breath inspects itself by gently arching the back, each exhalation looks down to the navel, letting the neck fall downwards.